Google set to invest sh4billion on the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project.

The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project has received a major shot in the arm as Google is set to invest sh4 billion for a 12.5 per cent stake in the project. The renowned IT Company will buy the 12.5 per cent equity stake in the Lake Turkana wind farm when it is complete and operational. This will be the first US private investor to fund the projects.

Google will join other international investors in the project including the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Vestas, which is a turbine manufacturing company. Vestas will be supplying the turbines to the wind farm. Vestas will deliver and install the turbines for the project while providing maintenance of the plant under a 15-year service and availability contract with LTWPP.

Speaking to one of the local dailies, Google Energy Lead for Africa, Joseph Mucheru said, “We’re making a commitment to invest in Lake Turkana Wind Power Project because it makes financial sense and has the potential to have a massive impact on Kenya’s energy grid, helping to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in one of the world’s fastest-growing countries, We look forward to joining Vestas and others to help make the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project a reality and accelerate progress toward a future of clean energy.”

The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project is expected to generate 310 megawatts of clean energy. The megawatts will be injected into the national grid. The wind farm which will have close 365 wind turbines is expected to be completed by 2017. Google has committed close to sh200 billion to support 22 clean energy projects in the world.

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